New Braunfels recognized as one of the 50 best U.S. places to live

A Texas Hill Country town that continues to grow is getting national recognition as not just one of the best cities to live in Texas, but the entire nation. New Braunfels was named one of the 50 best places to live in the U.S. in a report from Money.com. It was the only Texas city or town to be selected.

The historic German town sees it's population double during Wurstfest, the 10-day celebration of all things sausage. However that party wasn't the only reason New Braunfels was named the best in the Lone Star State.

"Bratwurst isn’t the only thing bringing newcomers to New Braunfels, though," the report reads. "The city’s affordable real estate and booming jobs market — which added a record 39,000 new jobs in 2023 alone — have helped cement it as one of the fastest-growing cities in the country."

Almost 40,000 jobs in one year alone coming to town, the report expects to see a 21% jump in job growth in the next four years. That projected growth in jobs is the highest out of any other U.S. city, according to the report.

The list was created with research and data-driven analysis to find towns with thriving economies combined with affordability, diversity and quality of life, the report stated. The city's population is at 104,707 with a median home listing price of $410,000 and an unemployment rate of 3.10% were big reasons why the town made the list, but not the only reason.

New Braunfels also has multiple rivers like the Guadalupe and Comal to float or kayak. Visitors can also escape the heat beneath the Earth at Natural Bridge Caverns or, if folks want to soak in some history, they can take a stroll over to Gruene Hall, the oldest dance hall in Texas.

Some other towns that made the list were Buffalo, New York, Detroit, Michigan and Ogden, Utah.